FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Contact: Diana Roth, Senior Communications Manager
roth@trustarts.org / 412-471-8717
Images: A Magical Cirque Christmas Images
PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST ANNOUNCES
A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS
MAKES ITS AREA PREMIERE AT THE BENEDUM CENTER
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2018 | 7:30 PM
This must-see holiday spectacular is for all ages!
The show features your favorite Christmas music classics and the greatest entertainers from around the world, including Duo Transcend, finalists on ‘America’s Got Talent’
PITTSBURGH—The producers of Broadway’s smash hit The Illusionists have brought together the world’s greatest entertainers for a spellbinding and incredible new holiday production – A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS. This thrilling, festive, fun-for-the-whole-family holiday spectacular will make its Pittsburgh premiere on stage at the Benedum Center, 237 7th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, on Thursday, December 13, 2018, at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets (starting at $33.25) are on sale now and available at the following official Pittsburgh Cultural Trust ticket sources: online at TrustArts.org, by calling Guest Services at 412-456-6666, or in person at Theater Square Box Office, 655 Penn Avenue. For groups of 10+ call 412-471-6930, or online at TrustArts.org/GroupSales.
In A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS, experience the magic of Christmas with dazzling illusions and breathtaking cirque artists performing to all your favorite holiday music. Be captivated by the mind-blowing talent of world-renowned magician Sebastian Nicolas, the fast and furious skill of speed juggler Roberto Carlos, the grace and precision of shoulder ballet acrobats Runfei Deng and Shilei Chen, the gravity-defying performance of husband and wife trapeze team Duo Transcend, finalists on this season’s “America’s Got Talent,” and much more!
A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS will be hosted by magician Paul Dabek, who will leave audiences in hysterics while introducing each act with mesmerizing, magical flair as he weaves and guides them through the unimaginable to the unbelievable.
As one of the UK’s top entertainers, Paul Dabek has performed across six continents, on the stages of London’s West End, and headlined his own show in Las Vegas. An accomplished magician, comedian and actor, Paul’s skills have won him critical acclaim, while being named “a superb showman” by Time Out magazine. Both the Magic Circle and the International Brotherhood of Magicians have recognized Paul’s talent, naming him “Young Magician of the Year” and awarding him the British Shield.
Get into the spirit of the season with this merry treat that’s perfect for the entire family.
A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS is produced by Simon Painter, Tim Lawson and MagicSpace Entertainment. Painter and Lawson have created Circus 1903 – The Golden Age of Circus, Le Grand Cirque, Le Noir, Cirque Adrenaline and The Illusionists in over 250 cities from London to Sydney to Broadway, as well as presenting A Chorus Line, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Fiddler on the Roof through Australia. MagicSpace Entertainment is headed by Lee D. Marshall, Joe Marsh, John Ballard and Steve Boulay, and has been producing and presenting national tours, Broadway shows, concerts and museum exhibits worldwide for over 35 years. They have an office in Park City, Utah. www.magicspace.net.
Follow A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
http://magicalcirquechristmas.com
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has overseen one of Pittsburgh’s most historic transformations: turning a seedy red-light district into a magnet destination for arts lovers, residents, visitors, and business owners. Founded in 1984, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit arts organization whose mission is the cultural and economic revitalization of a 14-block arts and entertainment/residential neighborhood called the Cultural District. The District is one of the country’s largest land masses “curated” by a single nonprofit arts organization. A major catalytic force in the city, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a unique model of how public-private partnerships can reinvent a city with authenticity, innovation and creativity. Using the arts as an economic catalyst, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has holistically created a world-renowned Cultural District that is revitalizing the city, improving the regional economy and enhancing Pittsburgh’s quality of life. Thanks to the support of foundations, corporations, government agencies and thousands of private citizens, the Trust stands as a national model of urban redevelopment through the arts. www.TrustArts.org
Follow us on Twitter @CulturalTrust, and like us on Facebook
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PERFORMER BIOGRAPHIES
Paul Dabek (Host)
Paul Dabek is one of the UK's top entertainers. He has performed across 6 continents, on the stages of London’s West End, and headlined his own show in Las Vegas. An accomplished magician, comedian and actor, Paul's skills have won him critical acclaim, and Time Out magazine named him “a superb showman!” Both the Magic Circle and the International Brotherhood of Magicians have recognized Paul's talent naming him “Young Magician of the Year” and awarding him the British Shield. Join Paul as he reveals exactly what’s up his sleeve and delves into his box of tricks while cheekily enchanting the audience with jaw-dropping hilarity.
What is the Host?
Paul Dabek will leave you in hysterics as he weaves and guides you through the unimaginable to the unbelievable. While introducing each act with spell-binding, magical flair, our host and comic serves as the “voice” of A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS, and ultimate master of ceremonies.
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Duo Transcend (Duo Trapeze & Duo Roller Skating)
Tyce and Mary Nielsen, aka "Duo Transcend," met while performing as high divers in a cliff diving show. After they got married they decided to create acts together: Duo Trapeze and Duo Roller Skating. Some of their show credits include: Circus Flic Flac, The Great American Variety Show, world-famous Cirque du Soleil, and finalists on Season 13 of “America's Got Talent.” When not performing they live in Salt Lake City with their son Jaxx.
What is Duo Trapeze?
Duo trapeze is a short horizontal bar hung by ropes and performed by two artists creating forms and figures and bearing each other's weight. Using strength and flexibility, Tyce and Mary gracefully move through the air in this beautiful aerial dance, weaving, spiraling and spinning effortlessly around each other.
What is Duo Roller Skating?
Roller skating artists performing on a circular platform approximately six feet in diameter. The performance is a combination of acrobatic tricks and roller-skating mastery.
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Sebastian Nicolas (Magic)
Sebastian’s first love has remained the same throughout his young life – magic achieved through deftness and sleight-of-hand. After receiving the title of “World Vice Champion” and the award of the renowned “Mandrake d‘Or” of the French Academy of Illusionists, a prize won earlier by such famous magicians as David Copperfield and Siegfried & Roy, did Sebastian’s lasting impact touch audiences across the globe. Enthusiastic fans throughout the world revel in his surrealistic, classic artistry. Nicolas’s specialty is manipulation. He has submerged himself in classical magic, bringing about miracles solely by the mastery of his hands. Combining dexterity, precision, and grace, Sebastian has distilled a lifetime of training into a devious display of dancing digits. His mind-boggling finger moves are so masterful that the audience is left to wonder if what their eyes have seen is truly possible.
What is a Sleight-of-Hand Magician?
Close-up magic is performed in an intimate setting whilst combining an impressive set of sleight-of-hand techniques to masterfully manipulate objects.
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Runfei Deng and Shilei Chen (Ballet on Shoulder/Pas de Deux)
Runfei Deng and Shilei Chen perform with precision and ultimate grace as the Swan Prince and his Princess. Originating in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, Runfei and Shilei modernize the art ballet, turning it on its head … literally. With the additional use of acrobatic skills, including somersaults, inverted and jujitsu, the Swan Princess dances on her Prince’s body, shoulders and head.
What is Ballet on the Shoulder?
Ballet on the shoulder is a Chinese acrobatic skill combined with western ballet dance where the ballerina performs atop (rather than alongside) her partner.
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Roberto Carlos (Speed Juggler)
Fast, furious and dexterously skilled in this ancient art, Roberto Carlos turns a variety of props into a toss-and-catch waterfall exhibiting flawless control and startling accuracy of judgment. His delightful demonstration of juggling demands both physical and mental discipline and agility. Previously, Carlos has showcased his unique skills on both “Britain’s Got Talent” and “Česko Slovensko má Talent.” An international champion, Carlos has won both the Public Award and St. Petersburg Award at the International Circus Festival, and has been featured in the hit Cirque du Soleil productions of Varekai and Joyá. The Dexterous Dynamo defies the notion that "the hand is quicker than the eye" as his coordination of both gives animation to the inanimate.
What is Speed Juggling?
Physical skill of manipulating and keeping several objects in motion and in the air at the same time by alternatively tossing and catching.
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Sarah Togni (Cyr Wheel)
Born into a prestigious circus family, Sarah Togni graduated from the Accademia D’arte Circense in Verona, Italy. Sarah had the honor to perform in many prestigious rings such as Circus Krone, Festival International de Monte Carlo New Generation, Gardaland Park and Festival Funambolika, with the great Viktor Kee. After starring in the equestrian show White, Sarah also performed in Cabaret Sous Les Étoiles in France Côte D’azur. In 2017, Sarah had the great pleasure to be on the world-famous French TV show, “Le Plus Grande Cabaret du Monde”
What is the Cyr Wheel?
The Cyr Wheel combines grace, elegance and acrobatic skills. The hypnotizing wheel rotation will amaze and transport you into a poetic world.
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Oleksiy “Alex” Mruz (Rola Bola)
Born in Lviv, Ukraine, the multi-award-winning Oleksiy “Alex” Mruz graduated from Kiyv State College Circus and Variety Arts in 2004. As a master of balance and precision, Alex will amaze and astound audiences of all ages as he bends beyond the nature of gravity and human potential.
What is Rola Bola?
Invented in 1898 by a Frenchman, the Rola Bola consists of standing and balancing on an unstable assembly of boards supported by cylinders.
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The TT Boys - Tamrat & Tomas (Icarian Games)
Originally from Ethiopia, The TT Boys, Tamrat and Tomas, debuted their Icarian Games act at the 2010 CYCA Circus in their native country. They have since performed to international acclaim at the Fringe Festival is Edinburgh, Scotland to the world-famous Dollywood Park in Tennessee.
Demonstrating thrilling feats of foot juggling that defy the laws of physics, the TT Boys perform the most astounding mid-air somersaulting exploits ever witnessed, using extreme skill of the hands and feet. Executed with marvelous grace, ease and perfection, The TT Boys perform the most extraordinary and intricate feats, on a raised platform. Absolute daring and split-second timing are a feature of this awe-inspiring act, replete with sensational acrobatics where nothing seems difficult and there is no "impossible."
The TT Boys present their exhibition with skill, grace and a defiance of danger.
What is Icarian Games/Foot Juggling?
Ancient juggling discipline once practiced by the Aztecs with various cylinders and barrels. A juggler lies on a trinka (a low-sloping armchair) while juggling the acrobat with his feet.
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Anna Ostapenko (Contortionist)
Truly a prodigy of nature, Anna has the ability to contort her body into remarkable poses and phenomenal positions. Hypnotically beautiful and performing one of the most nationally respected artforms ever created, she will amaze and astonish with mind-boggling flexibility and poetic poise.
Originally from the Ukraine, Anna started in sport acrobatics at the young age of 5. By the age of 14, she had already won a Bronze medal at the European Acrobatics Championships. Shortly thereafter, Anna’s career as a circus performer began where she performed with various Cirque du Soleil companies for nearly 14 years. She currently lives in Montreal teaching yoga and private hand-balancing classes.
What is a Contortionist?
The gymnastic performer showcases skills of extreme, inhuman and extreme physical flexibility in a series of choreographed moves and poses.
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Solo Trapeze
What is Trapeze?
A breathtaking aerial act demonstrating remarkable strength and extreme flexibility, blending modern dance and gravity, through the use of trapeze.
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